By Asif Haroon Raja Optimistic Atmosphere in Switzerland Following the arrival of the American, Iranian, Pakistani, and Qatari delegations in Switzerland, expectations were high that the negotiations could mark a significant step toward reducing tensions and opening a new chapter in regional diplomacy. By several accounts, the atmosphere prior to the formal talks was cautiously optimistic. According to repo ...

By Asif Haroon Raja History shows that both civilian and military leaders across the world have resorted to war under varying pretexts in pursuit of national interests, strategic objectives, or geopolitical ambitions. Peace has usually followed only after one side has been defeated or when all parties have become exhausted by prolonged conflict. China, as a matter of state policy, has consistently advocated ...

By Asif Haroon Raja Pakistan's Triumph on the Global Stage The world was astonished during the G7 summit when US President Donald Trump not only praised Pakistan, but also acknowledged before the international community the country's importance in promoting global peace. Referring specifically to Pakistan's leadership, President Trump was quoted as saying: "Pakistan's Prime Minister had already told me that ...

B y Dr Fai (The following aide memoire was given to Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh Sahib, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C. in person. The submission of this memorandum is guided by two primary objectives. First, it seeks to emphasize that most of the demands put forth by the Joint Awami Action Committee are well-founded and merit a fair and amicable resolution. Addressing these ...

By Asif Haroon Raja Many a Slip between the Cup and the Lip President Donald Trump attended the G7 Summit of the world's leading advanced economies, which this year was held in Europe. During a press interaction on 15 June, Trump appeared alongside a Qatari representative. Observers noted his visible discomfort when questioned about Israel's position regarding a possible settlement with Iran, reflecting wha ...

By Asif Haroon Raja US and Iran Reach Agreement On roughly 40 occasions since March, President Donald Trump claimed to be close to a deal with Iran. After months of intermittent negotiations and repeated public claims by President Trump that an agreement was imminent, Washington and Tehran finally announced a ceasefire framework. The US has released the full text of its 14-point "Memorandum of Understanding ...

by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai As the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) convenes its 2026 session at UN Headquarters in New York, which began on June 15, 2026, chaired by Ambassador Menissa Rambally of Saint Lucia, the international community has an opportunity to revisit one of the longest unresolved questions on the UN agenda: Kashmir. The Committee's mandate is rooted in the principle of ...

By Asif Haroon Raja Was there ever a period in Pakistan's history when the country was not the target of hostile powers? Since its inception, Pakistan has faced a relentless series of conspiracies, covert operations, and destabilisation campaigns aimed at keeping it politically divided, socially fragmented, economically dependent, and militarily constrained. Successive governments and military leaderships h ...